Meet the hamsa yoga team:

Andrea, co-owner

Classes taught: hot flow, Warm Flow, STRETCH + UNWIND, Kids Yoga

Andrea first came to yoga as a very un-flexible cross country runner whose knees were crying out for a change. Over time and a committed yoga practice she experienced physical and spiritual transformation both on and off the mat. Andrea is a certified RYT and will encourage you to find that peaceful warrior within yourself. Growing her yoga knowledge, in addition to her RYT-200hrs, Andrea has completed over 80-Hrs of Yin Yoga certification and has attended workshops and trainings from internationally known yogis such as: Dharma Mittra, Sean Corne, Koya Webb, Kathryn Flynn, Amy Wren, and more.

Tiffany, Co-owner

Tiffany began her yoga journey in 2012. She then decided to escape the corporate world after 16 years and completed her 200HR certification in 2014 (she is now an eRYT). She had so much love for practicing and teaching yoga that she decided to take her passion to the next level and offer a beautiful community for like minded yogis and yoginis to practice at.

Tiffany loves to work with those who are just beginning their yoga journey and students with injuries or health conditions. Her extensive teaching experience and happy joie de vivre offer students mental clarity, physical wellness and an enhanced, joyful practice. Her classes are fun, naturally flowing and offer clear instructions. Students who experience an hour of self-care with Tiffany are ensured to leave AWAKENED with a smile on their face.

Ruth

Classes: Breathe & Restore, Spinal + Pelvic Health Series

For many years I was an equestrian coach and trainer. Yoga was the perfect complement to instill connection to the mind and body. My life took a slight change of direction when my husband and I moved to the Middle East for two years. It was there that I was introduced to yoga with a deep focus on breathing techniques for stress release. Upon my return to Canada I completed my 200 YTT and received training in Restorative, Yin & Therapeutic Yoga (in Canada and India). I’m also a certified Hypopressive Breathing Level 1 coach. I have been involved in the wellness field as a chiropractic health assistant for over 20 years & have a deep understanding of the importance of holistic health. Yoga and breathwork are an integral part of this equation and I am passionate about sharing this knowledge. I maintain a sense of lightness and humour in my classes – “laughter being the best medicine.”

Monica

classes taught: Super sub through the Winter

When Monica took her first Ashtanga Vinyasa class, she was instantly connected with the practice. She remembers her very first yoga instructor fondly as a person who left a lasting impression on her, and takes her own role as a teacher with not only great responsibility, but also with a warm and inviting approach. She continues to be inspired by her teachers, fellow yogis and yoginis and is always attending workshops to further her training. Monica is R.Y.T.T. certified and currently teaches Ashtanga Vinyasa and hot yoga at Hamsa, and has also taught restorative, gentle, yin, and power yoga. Come and experience a blissful, welcoming practice with Monica.

Erin

Classes taught: Gentle Yoga, Stretch + Unwind

As an established equestrian rider, Erin came to yoga to overcome anxiousness, stiffness and feelings of being out of shape. As she's moved forward in her yoga journey she now uses the same principles of yoga to train herself and and her equestrian students to have flexibility, calmness, focus, and harmony with their equine partners. Along with being a certified yoga instructor, Erin is also a reiki master and has a fashion design diploma. Its no surprise Erin's favorite pose is Equestrian pose or Lunge pose. You're certain to enjoy the harmony of Erin's hot yoga hatha classes.

Tracy

Classes Taught: Gentle Yoga

Tracy holds a B.Sc. in Kinesiology in 1994 and 200Hr RYT Yoga Diploma with Hamsa Yoga. She has spent her career working with people of all different ages and injury histories. Assisting people to heal and to improve or maintain their mobility has been her challenge and her passion.

When Tracy was faced with chronic pain and a major change in lifestyle, she was drawn to using Yoga as a healing modality. Now Tracy combines the science of Kinesiology and her Yoga Teacher Training and applies this in her work to help others to heal and to improve their lives. She has been fortunate to lead exercises for an inspiring group of high-risk seniors. It is her belief that Yoga should be available to everyone, and that all can benefit.

Tracy has taken additional courses and training in Teaching Yoga to Seniors as well as Chair Yoga. She is a Heart Wise Certified Instructor and has just completed Level 1 Ursui Reiki.

Cara

classes taught: Warm Flow, Hot Flow

I started practicing yoga 14 years ago, just after my fifth child was born. Overwhelmed and exhausted, I was looking to take some time for myself, reduce my stress and start getting back in shape. I spent a couple of years exploring different class styles and teachers before I found my tribe right here at Hamsa Yoga in Carleton Place! My practice has grown and deepened over the intervening years (and through the births of two more children!) – it has kept me grounded and centered and continues to keep me connected to who I am, beneath all of the roles that life has assigned me. I am inspired by how yoga connects us to our bodies – through the flow of breath and prana (energy). Flowing with grace and fluidity on my yoga mat helps me to bring that same sense of ease and calm to my day-to-day life. Cara is a 200-hr RYT and teaches Hatha, Flow, Vinyasa, Power, Ashtanga yoga and is in love with arm balances – any and all!

Stephanie

Classes Taught: Hot Flow, warm flow

Stephanie grew up dancing competitively and was initially drawn to the physical aspects of yoga. It wasn't until she started a home practice that she discovered yoga is so much more than just a physical practice. Stephanie's home practice keeps her inspired and curious as to what else yoga can teach us. Stephanie completed her 200hrs with Frog Lotus Yoga International, studying Vinyasa flow under the teachings of Vidya Jacqueline Heisel. Stephanie's favourite asana is extended side angle because of the balance in strength and softness - the asana makes you feel grounded yet open at the same time. Stephanie is passionate about sharing her commitment to living a happy & healthy lifestyle - one full of compassion, light and possibilities.

Vichardeep "Vicha"

Classes Taught: Yoga Flow

From the moment that Vichardeep took her first yoga class, she knew that she was meant to become a teacher of yoga. She began studying Hatha in 2013 while also becoming a Reiki Practitioner. She was drawn to yoga because of the mindfullness of the practice and how it uses the body as a tool for awakening. Vichardeep began teaching right away and in 2015, she became certified in Yin Yoga and moved to Ottawa to take the Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training. Kundalini Yoga is the practice that she loves the most but Hatha and Yin are still a huge part of her life. She has since become a Certified Labour and Birth Doula and has started teaching Prenatal Yoga. She is currently taking her 300 hour teacher training in Kundalini Yoga. She brings mindfulness to all of her teachings. She senses the energy of the room and brings an uplifting yet calming presence. She always honours the teachings of the practice and brings her passion and love for teaching into every class.

Carey

Carey has been studying yoga since she was a child. After many years of practice she completed 200 hours of formal teacher training in 2009 at Herizen Yoga for Women. She has since completed prenatal yoga and Yin yoga teacher training. Carey is a mother of two boys and is passionate about helping mamas feel vibrant and restored through the practice of yoga.

Carly

Classes taught: Warm Flow + Hot Flow

Carly has lived an active lifestyle from an early age as sports held her center focus. It wasn't until after her college years that she discovered her own draw to the practice of yoga, which is what ultimately lead her to her current path as an instructor. With over 12 years of personal experience practicing yoga and attending workshops/training sessions; Carly's developed a philosophy that we are all students of life working towards a common goal to achieve optimal living. Yoga has become more than just a practice for Carly, which is reflected in her teaching. You can trust you'll be led in a direction that will open and strengthen the body safely and deeply. Her underlying drive as a teacher and student is to elevate all aspects of life; Mind, Body and Health.

JodiE

Classes Taught: Gentle Yoga

Jodie has been practicing Yoga for over 10 years. Originally she was drawn to yoga as a physical practice and rehabilitation modality to recover from injury caused by competitive running. She quickly recognized the diverse benefits yoga had to offer and valued its entanglement of physical, mental and spiritual facets.

Jodie brings a deep understanding of anatomy and physiology from courses in Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Science in nursing, to weave together smooth flowing safe yoga sequences, with many modification options.

Jodie continues to grow her yoga knowledge with personal studies of Ayurvedic Medicine and the Chakra system. She loves to share as she learns and explores new ways to live a healthy and contented life. Her favourite pose is supported fish!

Paige
Classes taught: Super-Sub

I began a steady yoga practice during my time in university. At first it came as an easy transition from my childhood sport, springboard platform diving. The athleticism and intensity of hot flow classes drew me in, especially as I learned to appreciate the mindful practice that allowed me to maintain a balanced lifestyle in the swing of post secondary studies. After graduation I completed my 200 hour Ashtanga-Vinyasa teacher training in India where I learned to appreciate the modern form of classical Indian Yoga, and where I came to admire the creativity in Vinyasa flow yoga. There is beauty in a balanced lifestyle, and yoga can contribute to this.

I believe that the physical practice of yoga allows us to connect better with our bodies, our minds, ourselves. That every time you commit to your practice, you give back to yourself. There is peace in stillness, power in movement, and life in breath.

Through yoga we can be curious, we can find clarity, we can be bold, and we can find joy. I aim to share this practice with plenty of smiles along the way.